Get ready to fall in love with these Parmesan Chicken Tenders! Coated in crunchy panko breading and baked to golden, tender perfection, they’re bursting with flavor and sure to be a hit with the whole family. Enjoy them as a tasty snack or team them up with your favorite sides for a complete, mouthwatering meal.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There’s nothing guaranteed to please a crowd quite like a fresh batch of chicken tenders. However, this recipe takes the standard version to the next level. There’s a reason why it’s one of our faves!
- Baked instead of fried
- Made with simple ingredients and warm spices
- Great to make ahead of time
- Kid-friendly and perfect for pairing with all your favorite sides
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients needed for these oven-baked Parmesan chicken tenders are what you’d expect from a chicken recipe. However, we took the traditional version up a notch with the addition of savory spices for a bold flavor that will have your guests licking their fingers and begging for more!
- Chicken – For easy preparation, we recommend buying already sliced chicken tenders. Or, you could opt for breasts and use a sharp knife to slice them into thin tenders.
- Breadcrumbs – We kept things simple with a Panko breadcrumb coating, but any breadcrumbs you like best can be used. If needed, opt for gluten-free varieties.
- Parmesan Cheese – This adds extra flavor to the chicken, making it out-of-this-world delicious.
- Flour – Regular all-purpose chicken is used to coat the chicken and create the crisp breading we all love. If preferred, a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour can be used in its place.
- Eggs – These are crucial for the breading to stick.
- Seasonings – A combination of salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder makes for the best bold, savory flavor.
How to Make Parmesan Chicken Tenders
Creating your own chicken tenders at home might seem intimidating, but it’s actually really easy to do!
- Prepare the Breading. Create a dredging station with 3 separate plates. On the first, add the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Add the breadcrumbs and Parmesan in another. Finally, pour the whisked eggs onto another, making sure they don’t spill over.
- Bread the Chicken. Season the chicken with the remaining salt and pepper. Then, dip them in the flour mixture, making sure they’re completely coated. Shake off any excess, and dip the tenders into the whisked egg. Finally, roll it in the panko mixture, and set aside. Repeat this step until all of the chicken has been coated.
- Bake. Arrange the chicken tenders in an even layer on a greased baking sheet. Then, spray them generously with oil spray. Bake until they’re golden brown and cooked all the way through, flipping halfway through baking.
Serving Suggestions
Of course, when it comes to Parmesan chicken tenders, you can’t forget the sauce! Pair your chicken with all your favorite dipping options like ketchup, honey mustard, barbecue, or ranch. Then, to make it a complete meal, serve them up with all your favorite sides! Some of our favorites include:
How to Store
Perfect for
Refrigerator: Once baked and fully cooled, transfer leftovers to an airtight container or sealable bag, and store them in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
Freezer: Let your chicken cool completely. Then, place them on a baking sheet in the freezer for 20-30 minutes or until they’re solid. Transfer the chicken to a sealable bag, and keep it frozen for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Feel free to warm your chicken straight from frozen using the oven. Or, let them thaw completely, and pop them in the microwave for a minute or two until your desired temperature is reached.
Parmesan Chicken Tenders Common Questions
It’s all about timing and coating. A quick bake at a high temp locks in moisture, and the breadcrumb-parmesan crust acts like a flavor shield to keep everything tender inside.
Can you use grated or shredded Parmesan for chicken tenders?
You can use either, but finely grated parmesan mixes into the breading more evenly and gives a crispier finish. Shredded works too—it just gives you a little more texture and a cheesier bite here and there.
Parmesan adds a salty, nutty boost to the coating—and helps it crisp up like a champ in the oven. It gives the tenders that extra layer of flavor that makes them stand out from the usual chicken-and-breadcrumb combo.
Yes! Swap in your favorite gluten-free breadcrumbs and make sure your parmesan and seasonings are GF-friendly. You’ll still get all the flavor and crunch, just without the gluten.
More Tasty Chicken Recipes
Want more tantalizing chicken recipes as delicious as this dish? Check out these chicken-based meals that are bound to knock your socks off!
Oven-Baked Parmesan Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt divided
- 1 teaspoon black pepper divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup Panko Japanese breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 2 large eggs whisked
- 1 ½ pounds chicken tenders
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a baking dish, and set aside.
- Make a dredging station with 3 separate shallow plates. On the first plate, add the flour, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. On the second plate, add the breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. On the third plate, carefully add the whisked eggs.3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 cup Panko Japanese breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, 2 large eggs
- Season the chicken tenders with the remaining salt and pepper. Coat the tenders in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Dip them into the eggs, coating completely. Then, coat the chicken with the Panko and Parmesan mixture. Set aside. Repeat until all the chicken has been coated.1 ½ pounds chicken tenders
- Arrange the chicken in a single layer on the prepared baking dish. Spray the tenders with spray.Cooking spray
- Bake for 20-22 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through, flipping halfway through. Serve with condiments of choice.
- Store chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.
Equipment
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This was delicious and the kids age 8 and 13 loved them. Will be making again!
We’re so glad they were a hit, Karen! Thank you for trying them out. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
These turned out great! They were crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The flavor was honestly perfect. Don’t add any extra or any less ingredients then what they say. They’ve clearly perfected it. One thing to keep in mind… read this article top to bottom. While baking, I noticed mine were not turning a golden color like the picture. I read the top part (instead of just the recipe) and noticed I missed something… “Then, spray them generously with oil spray”. Once I did that, they began to turn golden brown. So good! Husband also loved. Will totally make again.
Thank you for the feedback, Abbey! We’re so glad you enjoyed it! 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa